Prostate Cancer and Masculinity

BY CHARLES (CHUCK) MAACK – Prostate Cancer Advocate

In opening: The capability to have an erection does not define what constitutes the title “Man.”

I’ve become exasperated reading of men claiming they are less a man because they are unable to get an erection or have lost libido/potency. “I’m less a man,” “I’m a eunuch,” “I’m a girly-man.”

Where in God’s name have such ridiculous thoughts come from? This, in my mind, is the perfect example of some men’s brains being enclosed within their penis rather than in their head.

I can agree that loss of capability for erection plus loss of libido are blows that strike at key capabilities associated with being a male.

But I am absolutely no less a man than I was through all the decades of my life before discovery of the prostate cancer made it necessary for me to take medical treatments that resulted in my loss of libido/potency/erection.

Many men define what makes a man in terms of strength and power. I am a former martial arts competitor and Sensei/instructor Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. I still know as much about self defense (and offense) as I did prior to the onset of my cancer. Despite my loss of libido/potency/erection capability, in strength and power I am still just as much a man.

The true stature of a man is measured by his accomplishments, his attention to family, and his concern for others. Fulfillment of the duties of husband and father is part of the male role. Loss of libido or erection capability does not circumvent that role nor make the person in that role any less a man.

As for concern for others, I’ve chosen to research and study prostate cancer and its treatment in order to help other men and their caregivers wade their way through the complexities of our insidious men’s disease. I’ve done so to ease the burden of anxiety that so often accompanies diagnosis. Loss of the capability for erection and loss of libido/potency has had absolutely no effect in my ability in this regard.

I don’t waste my life lamenting over losses that followed, unavoidably, on my fight to stay alive. I do not accept that my acceptance of medical necessity makes me any less a man.

The foregoing remarks are intended to help men recognize that despite losses of capability because of medical necessity, they are no less a man.

This does not mean I would want anyone to quit the good fight. As long as there is the possibility of return of libido and/or erectile function, men should strive for that opportunity.

But if and when circumstances dictate that restoration of the libido and erections is unlikely, quit agonizing. Accept and move on. One is no less the man than he ever was; medically restricted, yes, less a man, no.

As in opening, so in closing: The capability to have an erection does not define what constitutes the title “Man.”